Caught Shoplifting and then Found with Paraphernalia, What Should I Expect

[itwasanaccident]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee

I was caught shoplifting a very cheap item, and the cops were called. They pulled me off to the side, and the person who called the cops told them to search my bag for anything else that may have been stolen from the store (which there wasn't). I didn't think I had the right to refuse a search, so I gave them my bag and they found a pipe in it. It had been pretty well cleaned but still smelled of marijuana. A cop came over to me and started asking me questions, which for the most part I denied answering most of them, they asked who it belonged to and I told him it belonged to someone I knew. That was the only question I answered. Then they read me my Miranda rights, gave me 2 citations, one for possession of paraphernalia and one for shoplifting. I have a court date in about 3 weeks and was wondering what I should expect? Would something like this stay on my record and interfere with future jobs/schooling?

[Mr. Knowitall]

I suggest consulting a local lawyer about whether you are eligible for deferral or diversion, in the hope of avoiding a criminal conviction (or two).

Yes, crimes stay on your criminal record.